Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Wednesday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will remain in Jenin beyond the conclusion of its current eight-day military operation.

The ongoing IDF offensive, Operation Iron Wall, began on January 21 and has focused on Jenin and Tulkarem in the northern West Bank. According to the IDF, the operation has resulted in the deaths of 18 Palestinian gunmen and the detention of over 60 wanted individuals.

Israeli forces have neutralized over 100 explosive devices in Jenin over the past two days, with an additional 30 bombs neutralized in Tulkarem. They have also seized several weapons caches.

Since the Second Intifada of 2000-2005, the IDF has not stationed troops for extended periods in major Palestinian cities like Jenin. The Israeli government has not clarified how long this extended presence will last. 

It also remains uncertain whether the Palestinian Authority (PA) will continue governing in Jenin while Israeli forces remain stationed there. 

The PA has previously withdrawn from certain responsibilities when the IDF has conducted large-scale operations. Some Israeli officials speculate that an extended IDF stay could lead the PA to reduce security cooperation in the West Bank.

Before the IDF operation began, the PA conducted a six-week crackdown on terrorist activity in Jenin, including an incident where Palestinian terrorists stole a PA police vehicle and bombed a PA police station. Security footage from the start of the IDF operation also appeared to show coordination between PA forces withdrawing and IDF troops entering the city.

Meanwhile, Katz criticized the PA for failing to combat terrorism in the West Bank and continuing its controversial “pay-for-slay” program, which provides financial support to the families of Palestinian militants. 

Despite Katz’s remarks, senior IDF officials in the West Bank, other military branches, and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) have acknowledged the PA’s recent improvements in its crackdown on terrorism in the West Bank, particularly in Jenin.

Katz’s comments come as Israel faces pressure from Western governments and Sunni Arab allies to allow the PA to regain control over Gaza as part of post-war reconstruction efforts and potential normalization agreements with Saudi Arabia. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed this idea, citing the Hamas takeover of Gaza from the PA in 2007.